This decision reversed Miller’s order last week to send the USS Nimitz out of the region and home, in part, to send a signal of deceleration to Iran amid mounting tensions between Washington and Tehran.
A defense official said the idea of reducing Miller’s escalation was not adopted as an approved formal policy. It took the top commanders by surprise, several defense sources said. US Central Command wanted the aircraft carrier to stay in the region because of Iran’s deterrence policy.
The White House and the NSC did not immediately respond to CNN’s request for comment.
On Sunday, Miller announced that the USS Nimitz would remain in place due to alleged Iranian threats “against President Trump and other US government officials”. Miller said in a statement that he “ordered the USS Nimitz to suspend its routine redistribution”. The aircraft carrier will now “remain in position in the US Central Command operations area,” added Miller.
“No one should doubt the determination of the United States of America,” he said.
Last week, CNN reported that there have been conflicting messages that reflect divisions within the Pentagon over Iran’s current threat level.
This story is emerging and will be updated.